Kenneth J. Filarski is the new chairman of the Rhode Island Green Building Council, which aims to promote sustainable development. He’s worked as an architect and planner in the state for the past 37 years. His specialty is building design and construction. He discusses the organization’s financial health and the state of environmentally friendly development in Rhode Island. more

BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection penalized New Bedford-based waste hauler ABC Disposal Inc., $1,500 for solid-waste violations related to the dumping of excessive amounts of construction and demolition wood at a landfill in December 2012. more

After serving 17 years in the military, Matthew Paquette left his work as an electrician’s mate in the Navy, where he was assigned to the USS Shasta Battle Group Echo, stationed off the coast of Kuwait. more

Farmers markets grew through the recession like few other retail segments in New England. more

BOSTON – The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection is seeking public comment for proposed amendments to agency regulations that deal with wetlands, waterways and water-quality certifications, as well as wastewater-related changes to state-issued permits and operation standards for sewer-treatment works. more

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., center with orange jacket, joins Serve Rhode Island volunteers scooping trash from pond shores at Roger Williams Park on April 20. More than 200 volunteers braved wind and rain to join the effort, the sixth organized at the Providence park by the group since October 2008. Every year volunteers fill hundreds of trash bags with bottles, paper, plastic bags and other litter. more

PROVIDENCE – The state has awarded 28 projects a total of $1,524,725 in recreational trail grants from federal transportation funds. more

Bristol’s Mount Hope Farm has 127 acres of fields, woods, streams and ponds for walking, hiking and exploring. It has a year-round farmers market. Executive Director Jennifer Bristol, pictured above, came onboard a year ago, tasked with developing a five-year plan for the nonprofit farm. “I’ve talked to hundreds of people and they all have in their mind this picture of what the farm is to them,” Bristol said. “Marrying the visions of all those people to allow them to maintain the experience and support the future and health of [the farm] is what has to happen on our end.” more

WARWICK – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service of Rhode Island is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Up to $70,000 will be awarded statewide. more

When Jennifer Bristol arrived at Mount Hope Farm as its executive director one year ago, she walked into a nonprofit long sustained by the good will of generations of Rhode Islanders who have called it among their favorite local spots. more